Card index file



Aug. 10, 1943. N. Y. ANDERSEN (MRD INDEX FILE.

Filed D60. 20, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet l M'eh ndemezz Aug. 10, 1943.

N. Y. ANDERSEN 2,326277 CARD INDEX FILE Filed Dec. 20, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 3wucm Ion M'e Yde ndemen Aug. 10, 1943. N. Y..ANDERSEN (MRD INDEX FILE Filed D60. 20, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Au 10, 1943. N. Y. ANDERSEN 2326277 SARD INDEX FILE Fi1ed Dec. 20, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Aug. 10, 1943. N. Y. ANDERSEN 2325277 CARD INDEX FILE Filed Dec. 20, 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Aug. 10, 1943.

N. Y. ANDERSEN CARD INDEX FILE Fi1ed Des. 20 1940 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Aug. 10, 1943 CARD INDEX FILE Niels Yde Andersen, Kenmore,

Remington Rand Inc.,

N. Y., assignor to Buflalo, N. Y.

Application Decamber 20, 1940, Serial N0. 371,006 15 Claims. (GI. 45-2) This invention relates to files for vlsible Indexes and more particularly to improvements In the flle disclosed in U. S. Patent N0. 1,999,162 patented April 23 1935.

The present Invention comprehends improving on the flle shown in the above mentioned patent by providing for a. cabinet structure wherein the tray holders may be inserted through the open side of the cabinet; by the provision o'f retaining means on the open side o1 the cabinet for detachable mounting on the cabinet to retain the tray holders In assembled relation In the cabinet; by the provlsion of a cushloning and ejector unit in each tray holder employing a. resihentl actuated toggle normally operable to partially eject the card Index tray adapted for operation by the card Index tray in movement Into housed position to over-balance said resiliently actuated toggle for moving and retaining saId toggle in straightened position under tension ready to partially eject said tray at the beginning o1 the next withdrawal movement of the tray from its compartment; the provlslon of positioning means on the Inner or bottom end of each tray holder interengaged wlth complementary parts on the cabinet for retaining each tray holder In fixed assembled relatlon In the cabinet; the provision o1 guide means on the retaining means for the tray holders arranged to not only prevent complete detachment of eah card Index tray from the cabinet In withdrawn D0sition but also to guide the cover for the cablnet during its movement between open and closed positions, arranged so the cover will completely enclose the retaining means In the closed position to prevent access to both the retaining means, the tray holders and the trays therein; and the provision of cabinet, tray holder, cushiom'ng and ejector units cover and retainin means arranged for interengaged assembly with one another in relative detachable relation in which all the parts are interengaged in Interlocked relation when assembled and the retainer bars retain the various parts in assembled relation to form a plurality of tray compartments in the cabinet to retain card Index trays for couvenient movement into and out of their respec- Live compartments, at the same tixne preventing complete detachment from the cabinet.

In the drawlngs:

Fig. 1 shows the card Index flle in perspective with the cover in open position and one of the card Index trays in a partially projected position obtained by the cushioning and ejector means In the compartment.

from its compartment and Fig. 2 Is a vertlcal longitudinal cross sectlon through the card Index flle showlng the front end of the cover raised slightly above Its closed positlon In full lines and in open position in dot and dash lines, most 015 the pard Index trays and the cushioning and ejector unlts bein omitted, und other portions broken away, for convenlence In Ilustrating the Invention.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section taken on line 33 of Fig. 2 showing a card Index tray In the partially ejected positlon obtained by the aushioning and ejector means.

Fig. 4 is a cross sectlon takeu substantially on line 44 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a. plan view of the card Index flle with the cover shown In open posltlon, portlons broken away and shown in sectlon to lllustrate details of construction end one card Index tray shown in a withdrawn position lying on top 01 the flle.

Fig. 6 is a cross section taken on line 66 0f Fig. 4, the scale being enlarged.

F'Ig. 7 Is a cross section taken on line 'l-l of Flg. 6 with portions broken away end shown in section for convenience in illustrating details of construction 01" the cover mountlng and gulding mechanism.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary detailed cross section showing a cushioning and ejector unlt In its assembled relation In a tray holder, the parts bein shown in the position f0r partially eject- Ing a tray from its tray holder.

Fig. 9 Is a cross-section taken on line 9-9 of Fig. 8.

Fig. 10 is a bottom plan view of the cushloning and ejector mechanism shown in Fig. 8.

Fig. 11 is a, view slmilar Fig. 8 showing the cushioning und ejector mechanism at the Opposlte limit o1 movement from that shown in Flg. 8 illustrating the position cf the parts when the tray is housed in its compartment.

Fig. 12 is a cross-section taken on line I2I2 of Fig. 2.

F1'g. 13 Is a cross-section haken on line I3I3 of F'I'g. 4.

Fig. 14 Is an enlarged fragmentary perspective showing the rear end portlon of one of the retainer bars.

The card Index flle formlng the present Invention is preferably constructed of sheet metal. The cabinet or cabinet body Is formed of sheet metal 1:0 provide slde walls l and end Walls 2. Side and end Walls l and 2 are provided with Inturned fianges a1: the lower edges Indicated at 3 In Figs. 2 to 4. A bottom Wall 4 Is formed to prov1de depending marginal flanges that are adapted to seat on flanges 3 a.s shown in Flgs. 2 and 3 when the bottom wall ls lnserted through the open upper end of the cablnet lnto lts assembled posltion.

A pair of angle supportlng frames 5 are mounted on the underface of bottom 4 and extend longltudinally along opposite sldes thereof to provlde a rigid support. for carrying the Welght of the entlre cablnet. Casters may be mounted at opposite ends of angle supporting frames 5 as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 for example, so that the cablnet may be convenlently moved about.

The side and end walls are iormed to provlde laterally extending fianges forming top Wall 6. Top wall 6 ls provlded with upwardly extending flanges I spaced inwardly from the side walls. Upper positioning brackets 8 formed o1 ofiset sheet metal strlpg are mounted at the upper ends of slde walls I and extend between opposite end walls 2. Posltlonlng brackets are securad ln position by spot weldlng or the like, and deflne the top opening to the interior of the cabinet for recelvlng and retaining the tray holders in positlon. Lower posltlonlng brackets 9 of angular form in cross-sectlon may be used on opposite slde edges of bottom 4 as shown in Flg. 3 for example, for receiving the lower ends of the tray holders therebetween and posltloning them laterally of base 4.

AI; the front end of the cablnet, top wall 6 is formed to provlde a downwardly and slightly forwardly extendlng flange having the central portion recessed to recelve a key actuated lock I0. A front supportlng bracket II formed of sheet metal, is mounted at the upper end of front end wall 2 on the lnner face thereof so as to extend entirely across the lnner face 013 sald end Wall to provlde a downwardly and rearwardly incllnlng seat inslde the cablnet to deflne the front end o1 the tray compartment opening in the cablnet in conjunction with upper positlonlng brackets 8.

A partltion member I2, see Flg. 2, deflnes the rear end of the spaee in the cabinet for receivlng the tray holders and has the lower end thereof formed to provlde a lateral rea.rwardly extending fiange engaged at the rear edge with the inner face of rear end wall 2 at the bottom. Partition I2 lnclines upwardly end forwardly from the bottom and terminates at the upper end in a rearwardly extending olfset portlon I3 formed to provide the front portlon of a receptacle seat. The slde edges of partltlon I2 are sultably secured at opposite sides of the upper end to lateral extensions on the freut ends of receptacle supporting brackets. A pair of brackets I4 of opposite angular form is mounted on the rear end portlons of upper positioning brackets 8. A rear cross bar I is secured to lateral extenslons an the rear ends of brackets I4 and extends transversely between the rear ends of upper posltionlng brackets 8 to provide a receptacle seat at the forward edge thereof cooperatlng with brackets I4 and offset fiange structure I3 to provlde a complete rectangular seat; structure for receiving and supporting card reoeptacle IG through the lateral outwardly extending flange around the top thereof.

Carol receptacle I6 is suspended from the seat structure in the compartment formed between partition I2 and rear end Wall 2 as shown in Flg. 2. A supplemental pln tray or the like Il may also be suspended in said seat in connectlon with. receptacle I 6. The openlng to a cover compartment ls defined by rear cross bar I5 and the front edge of the depending fiange on top Wall 6 at the rear end of the cablnet as clearly shown in Flg. 2.

A plurallty of tray holders I8 are each Individually formed of sheet material and have a plate sectlon I9 formed with a laterally extendlng back or bottom wall 20. The upper or forward edge of plate sectlon I9 ls turned lnwardly upon itself as shown in Fig. 2 to eliminate sharp edges. Guide sections are provided at the slde edges of plate section I9 extendlng throughout the length of said platze section. These guide sectlons are formed by laterally extendlng flangeg 2I on opposite slde edges of plate section I9 terrninating in flanges 22 extendln toward each other in spaced parallel relation to platze section I9. AI: the inner edges of flanges 22, inturned llp portions 23 extend toward plate section I9 anal have the free edges terminating in spaced relation relative thereto to complete the guide sections for guiding the rear end of a card lndex tray in its gliding movement into and out of sald tray holder.

A positioning bar 24 of angular form in cross section has one portion secured by spot welding or the like to the outer face of bottom wall 20, one being applied to the bottom wall of each tray holder. The other portion cf posltioning bar 24 extends laterally from the f1ee edge of bottom wall 20 and has the free edge thereof provided with a pair of spaced projections 25. Projections 25 engage in a pair of slots formed in bottom wall 4 of the cabinet, for positioning the bottom end of each tray holder against longitudinal and lat eral movement relative to bottom Wall 4 When the tray holder is interengaged in assembled position in the cablnet es shown in Fig. 2. There are two rows of spaced parallel slots in bottom Wall 4, corresponding slots in each row being in transverse alignrnent to form pairs Each tray holder is assembled in the cabinet by inserting it through the open upper end between upper posltioning brackets 8 untll projections 25 on bar 24 are engaged in a pair of the slots in bottom 4 thereby determinlng the position of the tray holder in the cabinet. The tray holders in assembled position are preferably arranged in inclined relation as illustrated in Fig. 2, Wlth the lower edge of the tray holder at the bottom end. of platesection I9 seatecl on the upper surface of bottom 4, while the portion of positlon ing bar 24 carrying projections 25 has its free edge portion arranged at a distance below the free edge of bottom Wall 20, a distance so that lt will seat on the upper face of bottom 4 to firmly support the bottom of the tray holder on the bottom of the cabinet. Bach tray holder has the slde opposite plate sectlon I9 open. When a. series of tray holders am assembled in adjacent relation in the cabinet as shown in Fig. 2, they cooperate to form tray compartments open only at the upper ends. This is obtained by the plate section I9 of one tray holder closing the open side of an adjacent tray holder.

A cushioning and ejector unit is provided for detachable mounting, one in each tray holder. These units have a bearing platze 26 detachably secured to bottom wal1 20 and bar 24 by an attaching screw 2'l, see Flgs. 8 to 11. Screw 21 is the only means of attaching this unit to the tray holder end provides for lts reacly detachment therefrom when the tray holder is removed from the cabinet. Bearing plate 25 is providecl at the side edges with lateral extensions f0rming spaced parallel bearing projections 28 carrying bearing pin 29 extendlng between said projections. Positloning projections 30 are formed at the corners o1 bearlng plate 20 to engage adjacent; portlons 01 the tray holder when the bearlng platte ls mounted on bottom wall 20 for holdlng the parts ot the cushlonlng and ejector mechanlsm in a proper aligned positlon.

A toggle comprlslng maln toggle lever or llnk 3I and supplemental toggle link 32 is provided In whlch each of these links ls construcbed of sheet metal of substantlally U-shape in cross sectlon. The side portiong o'f supplemental 11nk 32 are pivotally connected by means of aligned pivot, pins 33 to the central portion of the side flange 017 maln toggle lever 3I on the inner side portlons thereof. as clearly shown in Flg. 8. Main toggle lever or link 3I ls wider than llnk 32 in order that the slde flanges thereof will embrace llnk 32 when the toggle ls stralghtened to the positlon shown in .Flg. 11. Plvot brackets 34 are centrally mounted on the lnner sides of the slde fianses 01 maln toggle lever 3I and Cooperate in carrylng the pivot pins 33 for provlding the tosle plvot connectlng lever 3I and llnk 32. Supplemental toggle l1nk 32 has the opposite end of the side flanges thereon plvotally engaged on bearing pin 29.

The lower end of main toggle lever 3l adjacent bottom flange 20 carrles cross pln 35 rotatably mounting a palr of rollers 36 adapted for rolling engagement in the pivotal movcament of the toggle levers along the upper lnner face of bottom Wall 20. Cross pln 35 also forms an anchor for one end o1 tension coll spring 31, while the opposlte end is anchored on bearing pin 29, as lllustrated in Flg. 8. Thls coil spring normally operates to move the toggle into the broken position illustrated in Fig. 8. Main toggle lever 3I has an operating arm 38 carrying cross pin 33 on the free end thereof rotatably mounting flber roller 40. A cushlon pad 4I is riveted on the free end portlon of operating arm 33 adjacent roller 40. The purpose of thls structure will be described in counection wlth the operation of this toggle mechanism.

A card Index tray 42 is provided for each tray holder. These card Index trays are of conventional construction, well known in the art, and include a structure for mounting a plurality of card holders in Offset overlapping relatlon in each tray for hinging movement so that record cards carried by sald card holders can be readlly inspected and inscribed. The rear end of these trays embodies a slightly different constructlon than that shown in the aforementioned patent or that used in conventional trays. The rear end of each tray shown in the drawings ls provided with an upwardly curved rear end portion 43 formed to provide a tubular portion 44 for recelving axle 45 rotatably carrying supporting rollers 46 on opposite end portions of said tubular portion. The tubular portion 44 termlnates in inwardly spaced relation to extensions 41 on the side walls of the card Index tray. A reinforclng inser1; 48 havlng laterally extending projectlons 49 at the ends is engaged between the inner faces of said wall projections 41, with the neutral portlon secured to the tray bottom. The end portions of axle. 45 pass through apertures in projections 41 and 43 and extend beyond the side walls of the tray as shown in Figs. 3 and 8, to engage in the channels formed by the guide sections on opposite edges of plate member I9 of each tray holder. In this manner each card index tray is guided in its movement into and out of tray holders I3 while rollers 46 roll on the surface of platze member I9.

A sultable retalnlng and gulde means hold; the tray holders assembled In the cablnet agalnst detachment and also retalns the card Index trays agalnst complete detachment trom the cablnet when wlthdrawn from the tray holders. Thls Is accompllshed by employlng a. palr o1 gulde and retalner bars 50 each opposltely formed 01 a folded plece o! sheet metal to provide Inner and outer spaced parallel flange sectlons 5I and a laterally extendlng top guide flange sectlon 52. Each retalner bar 50 Is mounted along one o1 the top slde edges cf the cablnet wlth spaced flange sectlons II embraclng opposlte sldes o! the upwardly extendlng flanges 1 and the attachecl upper edge o1 upper posltionlng brackets 3, as clearly shown in Flgs. 3 and 4.

The retalner bars on opposite sldes 01 the cablnet have the laterally extendlng guide flanges thereof extended lnwardly as shown in Figs. 3 and 4, to extend over the upper open ends of the channels In the gulde sectlons 01 the tray holders. These flanges are arrangea so that upon the withdrawal o1. a tray from 1ts compartment In a tray holder, axle 45 will have the opposlte ends engage guide flanges 52 at opposlte sldes 015 the cabinet and prevent complete detachment o1 the wlthdrawn tray.

A wlthdrawn tray may the-n be swung about the axle or rear end lnto substantlally horizontal posltion and moved back and forth across the other trays in the cabinet wlth the rollers ridlng on the upper ends er front Walls of the other trays. A wlthdrawn card lndex tray whlle still connected. to the cabinet by axle 45 engaglng gulde flanges 52 may be laid on top 015 the cablnet for reference to the card holders thereln In a manner well known in the art. A plurality of reta.ining screws are threaded in transverse openlngs in lnner flanges 5I upwardly extendlng flanges 1 and the upper edges o1 brackets 0, with the heads preferably at the inner sides of flanges 5I.

The lnner flange 5I of each retainer bar 50 ls provided throughout that portion of its length overlylng the ends of tray holders I3 with bifurcated positioning fingers 53 formed in inwardly ofi'set relation from inner flange 5I in the manner illustrated in Fig. 14. Each of these blfurcated fingers recelve the upper edges of the sheet metal forming a pair 0f adjacent tray holders at the portions of the plate sections I9 and flanges 22 in contact with each other.

These retalner bars 50 extend rearwardly beyond partition I2 and have their rear ends projectlng into the cover receiving openlng where inwardly offset extenslons 54 carry gulde pins 55. These guide pins project lnwardly toward each other. Tray stops 56 and 51 are provided at the front and rear portions of retainer bars 50 as shown in Figs. l, 2 and 14, for limiting the travel of the card index trays along the top of the file while being guided by said retainer bars.

A sheet metal cover 59 is adapted to extend over the entire top of the cabinet in the closed position. II; is provided with depending marginal flanges arranged when the cover is in closed posltion on top of refiainer bars 50 to extend downwardly outside of the front, side and rear ends 01 the retainer bars into a posltion adjacent the upper surface of top Wall 6 for entirely enclosing and preventing access to the retainer bars, th: trays, or any part of the interior of the cabine Gulde bars 59 are mounted on the inner face of cover 58 at opposite sides thereof as clearly shown in Flg. '7, in order to provlde outwardly facing gulde channels for recelvlng gulde pins 55.

The rear end of the cover ls providedwlth a. hinge connection at 60 as shown in Flg. 4 wlth a follower GI. Follower GI 1s detachably counected by screws 62 to a guide member having olfset side edge portions slidably engaged in guide channel 64 secured to the central portion of rear end Wall 2 in vertically extending relation, as shown in Figs. 4 and 13. A rubber or slmilar cornposition bumper block 55 is mounted in the lower end of channel 54 as shown in Flgs. 2 and 4 to provide a. noiseless shock absorblng stop for limitlng the downward movement of the cover at the bottom of its movement into open position in the rear portion of the cablnet. This is obtalned by a lateral projection on follower GI extending into the channel 64 and engaging the upper end of resilient bumper block 55.

The follower is limited in lts upward movement in channel 64 by engaglng the under face of top Wall 5. The cover ls also provlded with a keeper for cooperation wlth lock III on the front of the cabinet when the cover is locked in closed position. The follower on the rear end of the cover will prevent the cover from being lifted up from the top of the cabinet. A handle 66 is mounted in a convenient manner on the front end of the cover for use in convenlent manual operatlon of the cover between its open and closed positions.

A suitable correspondence or paper holder is provided in attached relation on the cover in order to hold the loose cards, papers, etc., in a convenient position for manual manipulation while the records carried by this cabinet are being worked upon by an operator. The correspondence holder has a supporting platze 11 provided with reversely bent spaced side portions to provide guide members to embrace the free inner edges of guide bars 59 to slidably mount the holder on the cover. The lower end of plate 11 is provided with a lateral forwardly extending tubular section 18 providing a pivotal support for fiap 19 adapted to close the slot between the lower end of plate 11 and cross bar I5. This flap 19 arevents cards from accidentally sliding through this slot and dropping into the cover compartment.

Plate member 11 is supported by angle brackets 80 mounted on the lower rear face of pla.te member 11 and arranged in position to engage inwardly extending guide pins 55. These guide pins 55 provide a support for thls correspondence holder, while the cover can be slidably moved into open and closed positions during whlch time the edge portions of the guide bars will slide through the channels formed by reversely bent side portions of plate 1'l. Supporting plate 11 is provided with a pair of spaced parallel slots 8l extending transversely between the side edges thereof. A pair of holder plates 82 is plvotally mounted on plate 11 in paced relation each with a portion extending through one of the slots 8l. Plateg 82 will have limited swinging movement in slots 8l. When supported in the inclined position shown in Fig. 6, the rear edges of plates 82 will engage the inner surface of cover 58. These holder plates 82 may be swung into a position where they lie adjacent to platze member 'l'l the posltion they occupy when the cover is moved to closed position in the manner shown in Fig. 2, for example. Loose cards, papers, sheets or other similar material may be supported by plates 82 when they are in the angular position shown in Fig. 6 while reference and entries are being made in the records carrled by the card Index trays.

This invention provides card Index trays tray holders cushloning and ejector unlts and retainer bars made in separate unlts adapted to be readily positloned and retalned in lnterengaged assembled relatlon With one another in the cabinet body, solely through the attachment of the retainer bars to the upwardly extendlng flange portions on the top wall of the cablnet. These retalner bars extend transversely across the upper ends of all of the tray holders and retain the upper ends in the bifurcated projectlons thereon agalnst longitudinal shifting in the cablnet; for effectively retainlng the tray holders in assembled relation. The card index trays may be lnserted and withdrawn from the compartments; and when wl'chdrawn, the ends of axles 45 will engage gulde flanges 52 of retainer bars 50 to retain the trays in attached relation on the cabinet, even in the withdrawn position, for sllding and swinging movement along the top of the cabinet and supp0rt in a horizontal position, such as illustrated in Fig. 5, for convenient reference to the records in the tray. The retainer bars also guide cover 58 to prevent its detachment from the cabinet, while the cover cooperates with these retainer bars in the closed position to cover'them .up and prevent access to any part of the cabinet.

A number of advantages are obtained wlth this construction, one of which is that the tray holders can be assembled in their cooperative compartment forming relation in the cabinet by merely slidlng them in through the open top into their interfitted flxed positlons wherein they do not require any means of attachment to hold them in position in the cabinet. The retainer bars applied to the top of the cabinet serve as the retaining means for holding these tray holders as well as the trays, in fully operative connection in the cabinet for their normal operation in the use of the records carried in the trays These retainer bars are readily attachable and detachable from the flanges projecting upwardly from the top wall of the cabinet. This makes the entire structure particularly accessible, due to the fact that upon removal of the retainer bars any tray holder may be removed frorn the cabinet without removing the others and without having the others becoming disarranged in their assembly in the cabinet.

In the event of difficulty with the operation of any o1 the cushioning and ejector unlts, the tray holder contalning said unit can be readily removed from the cabinet without dlsturbing the remalning tray holders and by reason of the tray holder being o1 open construction, ready access is obtained to the cushioning and ejector unit for either repalr, lubrication or replacement. These units are readily replaceable by merely removing the retaining screw and substituting a new unit. The units are constructed for mounting in a fixed position of adjustment with the use of the single screw for mounting the unit in a tray holder. Springs can also be readily re placed in case of breakage. This manner of constructing and assembling the entire file provides for economy in manufacture and the saving of a substantial amount in labor in assembling the parts forming the file as well as in maintenance or repair work.

The guide pins on the retainer bars cooperate with the guide rails on the cover and prevent scraping of the outside of the cover against the back portion of the cabinet as it is moved into end out of the compertment et the reer of the cebinet end thereby prevents merring of the finish. The cover is mede reedily detecheble from the foilower by providing the hinge structure with removeble hinge pins thet cen be deteched frorn the inside of the cover when it is in eleveted position extending upwerd from the reer end of the housing with the follower et its upper limit of movement. This detechment cennot be obtained until the reteiner bers ere removed from their essembled position on the cebinet, due to the fect thet the chennels in the guide bars which receive the guide pins heve their ende termineting adjecent to the lateral flenges on opposite ends of the cover in such e menner es to close the ends of these chennels.

The entire essembly of the cabinet cen be mede substentielly from the top while the cebinet can be supported 011 iis bottom or on th cesters er oi her support thet mey be used in lieu thereof.

In operetion, e cerd index trey is rernoved frorn the file by menuelly engeging the handle portion et Lhe froni end of the trey indieeted et 59, end wiin e slight upwerd manuel pull assisted by ihe operetion of the cushioning end ejector mechenism, the trey is opereted by i:lie cushioning end ejector r.1eclierlism to project it perizielly from the cebinet to ne point illustreied by the pertielly projecied trey in Fig. l. The trey mey ben irre menuelly gripped end iis withdrewel coninued in an upwerd inclined plane direccly outv:erd frorn its comperirnent until tl1e ends oi exie 45 engege guide iiange 52 of the reiteiner bei. When this posii-ion is reeched the upper end of the trey mey be roteted. eloout its reer end eiter Which the reer end of the irey can be moved over the top cf the cebinet with ro;lers 45 supporting th trey for free move" ment back end forth while the guid fienges of the reteincr bare prevent complete detechment of ihe trey from the cebinet, The trey mey be moved into e position 011 top of the cebinei; es shown in F ig. 3 when it Will rest in a. horizontal position for convenient reference t-o eny cerd cerried by eny oi the cerd holders therein through the operetion of the index in the usual end well known menner. The trey is repleced in its compertment by reversing the operetion ebove described so thet the front end of the trey is reised upwerdly es the reer end is moved into e position opposite ehe open end of its trey holder. Then the trey is eligned with iis trey holder so thet the reer end will slide downwerdly in the trey holder with the exle ends being guided in alle guide sections.

As tl1e trey moves downwerdly the lower end Will engege roller 43 end upon continued downwerd movernent of the tray spring 31 will be stretched egeinst its tension to operete the ggle from the broken position shown in Fig. 8 to the position shown in Fig. 11 wherein the toggle is streightened end the downwerd movement aushioned to errest its movement es the trey epproeches the bottom of the trey holder. This cushioning ection is such theb the trey is substentielly counter balenced end upon reeching the fully housed position in iis trey holder with the bottom of the trey in e position shown in Fig, 11 the motion will be substentielly errested end the operetion 0f the cushioning end ejecior unit will be such to ellow the weight of the i;rey t0 overcome the tension of th spring by reeson of the toggle epproeching the deed center position. This provides for the weight of the trey reteining the toggle in the position shown in Fig. 11 until it is egein desired to remove the trey from its co1npertment. In the event thet the tray is shoved downwerdly with greeter forbe then necess'ery to move itto its iowerniost position in e trey holder, the side flenges on the mein t0ggle lever will engege b0tt'om weil 20 end the 10rce wiii then be trens'mitted throtigh ihe bcttom weil end positioning bar 24 i}o the bottom of the cebinet where it is distributed. The tray cen ectuelly be dropped or elloWed to slide of its 0Wn Weight into its compertment, end even be given e shove towerd its 10Wer p0sit'ion end the cushicning end ejector mechenism will operete to ebsorb the shdck end gredueilly st0p the moveme-nt of the trey toweid the bottom of the comperiment so thet es it ree'ches the 'bdttoin i'c Will romen in housed position.

The peper holder con stri1ction cerried by 17he cover cen be removedwhengairer desired by sliding it oif of the ehdsof the guide reil3 et th front of the cover. When the cov er is inop'eh position the plates cer'ried by the peper holder cen be positioned es shown in Fig. 1 ior convenienee in supportine cerdS,pepers end thelike used in connection wit h the records cer rid in the wird index treys so es to fecilitete the use of the Gerd index housed in the cebinet. Acc(assories Stich es extra cerdS, cerd holders, pins, pencils, pens end the like mey be kept in the ceid recep'tetzle end trey et the back o f tlrie cebinet for Convenie'nt use when the ct a ver is in open position.

The invention0leimed is:

l. A cerd indexfile, 'coniprising e cebinet having an openiop cbmrnuniceting with the open end of an upwerdiy exig'ending 'treY 'c'ombz'zr'tm'bent therein, e cerd index trey slidbly housed'iri seid compertment in upwerdly extending releti'on, end combined cushionii1g end ejecting meens including e toggle formed 0f mein end s1ipplemental links pivotelly connected mea;nS pivo'telly mounting t'hfe free end of one of seid links et Ehe bottom of seid coinpertment, the free end of the other link trevelling trensv erselY acrbss the bottom of seid oompertment in the relative pivotel movement of seid links end lying substantielly streight et the botto m of seid c0'mpertment With the pivotel con neetion therebtivveen edjecent dead Center position, seid links b ing reteined in seid lest-mentionl positi0n by the weight of s'eid trey, end an eciiuetih tnsion spring connecting seid links I01hormelly moving seid links into broken position to eject seid trey pertielly from Seid compertment; upon w'ithdrewel end to cus hion movement of seid t'ray towerd housed p0sition therein.

2. A cerd index' file, comprising e cebinet having an open top commniceting with the open end of an upwerdly extending trey compertment therein, e cerd index trey slidebl3r hbused in seid compe'rtrnent in upwerdly exterlding reletion, end combined cushionirig end'ejie0ting meens includirig e toggle formed 0f mein end supplementel links, seid supplementel link having one end pivote'lly mnneeted to an intermediete portion of seid mein l'ink 'wliereby one portion 0f seid mein link coopereteS with seid supplementel link to form e toggle end i:he other portion forms e toggle e ztueting ei-m, rneens pivotelly mounting one ffee end 015 seid tggle et the bot tom of seid Compertment e roller"on the other free end of seid toggle heVing free rolling movement on the bottoni of seid domb'er'tment, e tension spr ing co'nnectirxg the frei: ehds of seid togg le ndrmelly"operetiiie to m'ove seid toggle t0werd br0keri poSition fc' r ejecting s'eid forming reletion therein. e plurelity o1 cerd index treys one slidebly mounted in eech trey holder through the open upper end, end a. plurality of cushioning end ejector units, one detechebly mounted in eech trey holder edjecent seid bottom well, eech of seid units including a toggle end resilient meens normelly opereting seid toggle towerd broken position for engeging between seid bottom well end the lower end of e tlay in seid trey holder to pertlelly eject seid trey from seid trey holder in removing the trey frorn its compertment, seid trey being opereble upon movement; towerd housed position to engege seid toggle end move it towerd streightened position egeinst the bottom flenge of seid trey holder end over-belence the resilient meens in housed position in seid trey holder by its own weight for remaining in housed position in seid cebinet reedy for the next ejecting operetion by seid unit upon menuel sterting of the tray outwardly from seid trey holder.

8. A cerd index file, comprising e cebinet having e bottom side end end wells end heving an opening in the top, a series of trey holders mounted in seid cebinet through seid opening in edjacent essembled compartment-forming reletion with eech compertment opening et the upper end through the opening in seid top, positioning members mounted on eech trey holder engaging the bottom of seid cebinet in the assembled reletion of seid tray holders therein lor holding seid tray holders in fixed relation in seid cebinet, e cerd index trey for eech tray holder slidebly mounted therein through the opening et the top, a plurelity of cushioning end ejector unit;s one mounted in the bottom of eech tray holder between the lower end of the cerd index tray therein end seid positioning member heving perts resiliently projected upwerdly in seid trey holder to normelly engege end pertielly eject the trey irom seid compertment in the withdrewel of seid trey irom seid compertment, seid trey opereting seid cushioning end ejecting meens in movement; into the compertment towerd housed position egeinst the normal operetion of seid cushioning end ejector unit for cushioning the movement of seid tray into il;s trey holder into housed positiorr, seid cushioning end ejector unit being over-belanced by seid trey es it reaches housed position in the tray holder wherein seid trey is reteined in housed posltion until it is manuelly sterted upon its next withdrewing operetion, seid positioning member trensmitting the shock et the bottom of seid trey holder from seid cushioning end ejector units to seid cebinei; bottom.

9. A cerd index file, comprising e cebinet open et the upper end heving bottom, side end end walls, e series of tray holders mounted in seid cabinet through seid open upper end end essembled in upwerdly extending edjecent reletion to provide e plurelity of separate trey compertments in seid cebinet opening et the upper end through seid open top, a. positioning member on eech tray holder heving perts thereon interengeged with complementery parts et the bottom of seid cebinet. for independently reteining eech trey holder in fixed reletion in seid cabinet so thet it mey be independently inserted end removed through seid open top, e plurelity of cerd index treys, one slidebly mounted in eech trey holder, a, peir of reteiner bers detechebly mounted on the upper end of seid cebinet et eech side of seid trey holders,

extendng trensversely ecross the upl er ends o! all of seid trey holders in seid cebinet for reteining seid trey holders in essembled reletion in seid cebinet end meens on seid reteiner bers for cooperetion with seid cerd index trays w retain seid treys connected to seid cabinet in withdrewn reletion.

10. A cerd index file, comprising a cebinet heving bottom, side end end Walls end open et the bop, e series of trey holders extending transversely between the side wells of seid cebinet, arrenged in upstending reletion end essembled in adjacent relation between the opposite end Walls io form e plurality of compertments opening et the upper end through seid open top, e cover compertment et one end of seid cebinet, e cover slideble into end out of seid cover compertmenl; for movemeni; into e position over seid open top to close the opening in the top of seid cebinet end the open ends of seid tray holders, retaining end guide meens detechebly mounted et the top on seid cabinet engeging seid trey holders end reteining them in fixed essembled compertmeni; forming reletion in seid cabinet end heving meens thereon interengeged with complementery portions of seid cover for guiding seid cover during its movement between open position in seid cover compertment end closed position on the top of seid cabinet, end e plurelity of cerd index treys one for eech compartment slidebly mounted therein for movement from housed position into end out of seid compertment when seid cover is in open position, seid reteining end guide meens heving perts coopereting with complementery perts on seid cerd index treys to prevent complete detechment of seid treys from seid cebinet when withdrewn from the compertment therein.

11. A cerd index file, comprising a cebinet body heving e plurelity of speced parallel Walls essembled to form e casing open et one side, e plurelity of trey holders detachebly engaged in seid cebinet through seid opening for cooperetion in edjecent essembled reletion to form a plurality of trey compertments, a pair of reteining end guide bers detachebly mounted on opposite sides of the open end of seid cebinet end extending transversely relative i'o seid trey holders heving e plurality of perts thereo'n eech embracing the free ends of e peir of adjecent trey holders et the side edges end reteining seid trey holders in edjecent essembled compertment-forming relation.

12. A cerd index file, comprising e cebinet body heving e plurality of spaced parallel wells essembled to form e cesing open et one side, e plurelity of tray holders detechebly engeged in seid cebinet through seid opemng for cooperetion in eidjacent essembled reletion to form e plurelity of trey compertments, e pair of reteining end guide bers detachebly mounted on opposite sides of the open end of seid cebinet end extending transversely relative to seid trey holders heving perts thereon interengeged with the free ends of seid tra.y holders et opposite side edges retaining seid trey holders in edjecent essembled compertment-forming reletion, e plurelity of cerd index treys one slidable into end out of housed position in eech compartmeni; in seid cebinet, seid reteiner bers being formed to provide perts having interengagement with complementery perts 011 seid cerd index treys for reteining seid cerd index trays egeinst complete detechment from seid cebinet in withdrewn position from its compertment.

13. A card index file, comprising a cablnet having a plurality of spaced parallel Walls forming a casing open at one side, a plurality of tray holders inserted into said casing through said open side into independent adjacent assembled relation to form a. plurality o1 tray compartments extending between opposite sides of seid casing, a cover for the top of said cabinet, a. cover compartment formed in said casing at one end, a pair of retaining und guide bars mounted at opposite sides on said cabinet and extending transversely across said tray holdem for engagement therewith to ret.ain said tray holders in assembled relation in said cabinet against; detachment, said bars having gui'de projections thereon interengaged with complementary guide members on said cover for guiding said cover in its movement between open position housed in said cover compartment in said cabinet and closed position closing the opening in the side of said cabinet, said cover being formed to extend over said retainer bars in the closed position thereof on said cabinet 130 prevent access to said retainer bars anti tray compartments.

14. A card index file, comprising a cabinet having a tray compartment formed therein opening throu gh the top portion, a card index tray slidably housed in said compartment in up wardly extending relation, and combined cushioning and ejecting means mounteii on the bottom of said compartment including a pair of links pivotally connected together, one link having an end opposite the connection with the other link pivotally secured to said cabinet at one side of the bottom ot said compartment, the other link having the free end engaged with said cabinet at the bottom of said compartment for slon spring connecting the ends 01 sa.id links opposite said pivotal connectlon normally operable bo move the free end of the second-mentioned 1ink toward the pivot of the first-mentioned link to projecl: said tray outwardly from said compartment end to cushion und arrest its inward movement therein.

15. A card index flle, comprising a cabinet having a tra.y compartment formed therein opening through the .20n portion, a. card index tray slldably housed in said compartment in upwardly extending relation, and combined cushioning and ejecting means mounted at the bottom of sa.id compartment including a pair of links pivotally connected together a.nd having the opposite end of one link pivotally connected to said cabinet in the bottom of said compartment and the opposite end of the other link movable transversely across the bottom end cf said compartment in the pivotal movement of said links relative to one another for obtaining a movement of the pivotal connection cf seid links toward and from the front end of sald compartment, resilient means normally actuating said links for moving the connected ends thereof towarcl the front of said compartment, and means carried at the pivotally connected ends of said links for engaging and normally projecting said tray outwardly from said compartment, said tray actuating said links am]. resilient means upon movement into said compartment to move the pivotal connection thereof toward the rear end of said compartment inoo a position slightly above the plane extending through the outer ends of said links whereby said links and resilient means cushion the inward movement cf said tray into said compartment and said tray maintains the pivotal counection between said links adjacent the bottom of seid compartment for maintaining said spring linder tension for a subsequent ejecting operation of said tray thereby.

NIEIS YDE ANDERSEN. 

